Description
Bright Tropical Fruit with Sweet-Tart Flavor
Surinam Cherry (Eugenia uniflora) is a vigorous evergreen fruiting shrub prized for its abundance of bright red, tropical cherry-like fruit. The ribbed, glossy fruits are as ornamental as they are flavorful, ripening from green through orange and red before developing their best flavor at full maturity. Ripe cherries become soft to the touch and have thin skin with a rich, sweet-tart, acidic flavor that is unlike almost any other garden fruit. Under-ripe fruit can be bitter and astringent, so patience pays off when harvesting.
A fast-growing plant with dense evergreen foliage, Surinam Cherry is especially popular as a fruiting hedge but can also be grown as a specimen shrub or small tree. Given room to grow, it can reach 10–12 feet tall and wide, making it a productive and attractive choice for tropical and subtropical landscapes. Its vigor and adaptability allow it to thrive in a wide range of locations.
Cultural & Culinary Significance
Known throughout the tropical world as Pitanga, Suriname Cherry, Brazilian Cherry, Cayenne Cherry, Cerisier Carré, Monkimoni Kersie, and Ñangapirí, Surinam Cherry has become an important backyard fruit throughout warm regions. Native to the eastern coast of tropical South America, it now grows across tropical areas from the Philippines and Hawaii to Haiti and West Africa. The fruit is enjoyed fresh when fully ripe and can also be used in juices, jams, jellies, syrups, and other preserves. Its distinctive flavor and attractive fruit have made it a longtime favorite for tropical gardens and edible hedges.
Why Grow Surinam Cherry?
- Abundant Fruit: Vigorous plants can produce heavy crops of colorful tropical cherries.
- Unique Flavor: Fully ripe fruit offers a distinctive sweet, tart, and acidic flavor.
- Fast Growing: Quickly develops into a substantial fruiting shrub or hedge.
- Evergreen Hedge: Dense foliage provides year-round greenery while producing an edible crop.
- Highly Adaptable: Thrives in a variety of tropical and subtropical growing conditions.
Growing Tips
(Also known as: Surinam Cherry, Suriname Cherry, Pitanga, Brazilian Cherry, Cayenne Cherry, Cerisier Carré, Monkimoni Kersie, Ñangapirí, Eugenia uniflora*)*
Surinam Cherry grows best in full sun to part shade and adapts well to a variety of well-draining soils. Keep young plants consistently watered while they establish; mature plants are more tolerant of dry conditions. Feed during the growing season to encourage vigorous growth and fruit production. Prune as needed to maintain a compact hedge or desired shape, or allow it to grow naturally into a larger shrub or small tree. Harvest fruit only when it is dark red, soft, and fully ripe, as under-ripe cherries can be bitter and astringent. Protect from frost and extended cold.